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What’s the opposite of gatekeeping? Welcome to “Payment Processing,” in which we ask stylish, generally cool people who’ve tried it all about their favorite fashion and beauty buys.

For Samyra Miller, advocating for size-inclusive fashion was less of a choice and more of a necessity. After all, she was already shopping in the women’s section before she even reached her tween years. “There was no way that I should have been showing up to third grade looking like I was going to work in a front office instead of going to learn how to write cursive,” she tells Fashionista. From that point on, her mission to champion plus-size bodies in fashion spaces was clear.

 The Los Angeles-based content creator and Harvard grad has since built a following by calling out brands for their limited size ranges. She’ll walk into mass retailers like Forever 21, Old Navy, Nike, Urban Outfitters, Hollister and H&M to see what, if anything, they offer in plus sizes (which she defines as 1X-4X+, not XL-3XL+). Miller’s goal is to highlight how brands use inclusive messaging, yet ignore plus-size shoppers when producing their assortment. “ If you’re gonna say that you make clothes for everybody, then  this body should be able to go up in that store and find something to put on,” she says.

Today, that advocacy work is even more important, as the industry faces significant size regression driven by political conservatism, the popularization of GLP-1 use and unhealthy self-betterment tactics (i.e., looksmaxxing). Over the past couple of years, plus-size representation on fashion month runways has dipped, with the Fall 2026 season reaching a new low of 0.3%. Retailers are also cutting back on their plus-size initiatives commercially, with some making plus sizes online-only, while others cut their extended sizes full-stop.

“Whenever times try to silence you, that’s when you have to be the loudest,” Miller emphasizes. “ I want to make it clear that our bodies aren’t a trend.  We are real people who deserve the same consideration that you give to others.”

Ahead, the influencer shares one brand she feels is doing plus sizes correctly and one she wishes would do better, as well as her travel essentials, go-to fragrance and more.

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 What’s a luxury beauty item you’re really into right now?

 The TheraBody Hot and Cold Depuffing Wand. Listen, an ice cube is gonna melt, but not that. I could throw that in my purse and take it with me. Also, I don’t know if you’ve tried the T3 Singlepass straightener. It’s so good.  It has a certain settings for the textured hair and the straight hair. It’s just really good, and my hair is laid, it’s not fried.

 What’s a drugstore beauty item you’re really into right now?

 I go on so many hikes out here and my feet be getting a little crusty, so I have been loving the little Aquaphor Repairing Foot Mask. I don’t know what they got up in there, but my feet will be so soft.

 What’s a fashion or beauty item you refuse to travel without?

 My bonnet. Right now, mine is from Kitsch. I love their pink cherry bonnet. It is so cute. And it also ties so that it doesn’t slip off.

 What’s a beauty staple you love so much you’ve bought multiples of?

 The Glossier You Perfume. Let me tell you, I bought that in every form too. I bought it in the spray. They have the solid one too. I love that perfume so much. I know sometimes there’s a perfume that people just like to wear because they simply like it or they wear it because it’s their most complimented. This one is my favorite and my most complimented, so it works out.

 What’s an accessory that you have your eye on?

 I’m just getting into my watch bag, so this is a big ask, but the Cartier watches are looking a little good. I don’t need it, though. That’s a big wishlist item. A smaller accessory that I have my eye on is my class ring. I’m going back to Harvard this summer for my five-year reunion, so my top priority accessory right now is getting my Harvard ring.

 Are there any other luxury fashion items that you’re lusting after right now?

There’s this brand called Alpine [Butterfly] Swim. They make sizes from extra small to 6X. They have the cutest swimwear. I love that it’s size-inclusive. I plan to get so many of those swimsuits and those coverups, and they’re all made to order.

 What’s a wardrobe staple you love so much that you bought multiples?

 I have a lot of random crop tops in my closet. I have some from everywhere, like Old Navy, or I’ll go squeeze into the ones in H&M.

What’s a brand or company you think is doing plus sizes right?

 Right now, what I’m really loving seeing is the intention that JCPenney is showing with their plus-size offerings, and they’re working with Ashley Graham and putting plus sizes and curves at the forefront and really choosing to very loudly and proudly celebrate them.

I also got to model for the collection. That meant a lot because JCPenney and I were going tit for tat. So it was very encouraging and very thoughtful of them to really sit down and say, ‘Hey, we want do better. This is what we’re doing. We’d love to have you be a part of this.’

What’s a brand that you’d love to see extend into plus sizes, or bring back their plus sizes if they got rid of them?

Old Navy! Mind you, Old Navy didn’t even get rid of the plus sizes, but they got rid of them in-store. They really got me with the body equality [initiatives]. I thought y’all said everybody deserved to see their size and in-store? I guess not no more. They’re so close though. Because the thing is, they have the larger size range. They have all the styles in all the sizes. They’re almost there. It’s like very Princess Tiana. Like I’m sick of y’all being almost there though. I need us to get there.

 What’s the last product an influencer or celebrity influenced you to buy?

On set for the JCPenney shoot, Emma Arletta and I were in the fittings and she showed up to the fitting in this really cute halter, capri jumpsuit. I said, ‘Emma, where is that from?’ She said, AFRM. I literally went on that website the second we had a break, ordered it for next-day shipping back to L.A. so that when I landed back in L.A., it was the first thing I put on when I got off the plane.

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